Aleem are identical twins Taharqa Aleem and Tunde-ra Aleem. The brothers began their recording career with Jimi Hendrix's Cry Of Love and Rain Bow Bridge, as The Ghetto Fighters. (They also shared the same apartment with Jimi). With Leroy Burgess as featuring lead vocalist they formed Aleem in New York during the early '80s and originally released hardcore dance songs on their own label, NIA Records. These included 'Hooked On Your Love', 'Get Down Friday Night', 'Release Yourself' and 1985's 'Confusion', which resulted in a deal with Atlantic Records. In 1986 they recorded Casually Formal, and worked together as producers on acts including Fonda Rae, Caprice, Captain Rock and Process & The Doo-Rags. The NIA label also became home to such notable rappers as Marley Marl and MC Shan and helped develop the careers of MC's such as Sparky D. After Nia folded, the twins opened up their own recording studio in the late '80s.